Front Matter

Art Thou indeed Deirdre, that Deirdre whom I have dreamed.

Note

This little book was written after several variants of the Tales had been read:—"Old Celtic Romances," by Dr. Joyce; "Reliquae Celticae," by Dr. Cameron; "The Pursuit after Diarmud O"Duibhne and Grainne the daughter of Cormac Mac Airt," by Standish Hayes O"Grady; "The Three Sorrows of Story-telling," by Dr. Douglas Hyde; "The Laughter of Peterkin," by Fiona Macleod, and other translations and retellings.

About This Book

One of my friends tells me that you, little reader, will not like these old, old tales; another says they are too sad for you, and yet another asks what the stories are meant to teach.

Now I, for my part, think you will like these Celtic Tales very much indeed. It is true they are sad, but you do not always want to be amused. And I have not told the stories for the sake of anything they may teach, but because of their sheer beauty, and I expect you to enjoy them as hundreds and hundreds of Irish and Scottish children have already enjoyed them—without knowing or wondering why.